Few Mormons realize that the LDS temple ceremony is not of ancient origin,
nor of modern revelation. Instead, the ceremony originated around 1790 when the
Masons first conceived it for use in their secret society. Until 1990 the Mormon
Temple Ceremony closely resembled the Masonic Initiators Ceremony, signs, tokens
and penalties included. I never made the connection between Masonry and
Mormonism until I began a serious study of the Mormon temple ceremony.

In 1827 Capt. W. M. Morgan, a disillusioned Mason, published a book entitled
Freemasonry Exposed, which reveals a detailed description of their ceremonies in
word and illustration. Because of this exposé, Morgan was murdered three months
later by members of his lodge. After Morgan's death, his widow, Lucinda
Pendleton Morgan, a very pretty and intelligent woman married George W. Harris
on January 12, 1831. While married to Harris, Lucinda became one of the first
plural wives of the prophet Joseph Smith in 1838. It seems likely that Smith
married her while living at the Harris home. This circumstance would seem to
corroborate the story of Mrs. Sarah Pratt, who related in an interview with W.
Wyl, "Mrs. Harris was a married lady, a very great friend of mine. When
Joseph made his dastardly attempt on me [in 1842], I went to Mrs. Harris to
unbosom my grief to her. To my utter astonishment, she said, laughing heartily:
"How foolish you are! Why, I am his mistress since four years.'" (No
Man Knows My History by Fawn Brodie, p. 460.)

Mormon leaders proclaim that the temple endowment was given to Joseph Smith
by revelation, but after reading the book Freemasonry Exposed, I seriously
questioned the validity of the Church's claim. After reading only a few pages of
the book I could see the unmistakable similarities between the Masonic
Initiation Ceremony and the Mormon Temple Ceremony.

Joseph Smith became a Mason on March 15, 1842 and rose to the sublime degree
the following day. This initiation took place in his upper business office or
Masonic lodge room (History of the Church, vol. 4, p. 550-551). Only a few weeks
after Joseph's initiation into Masonry, he taught the other LDS Church leaders
in the same Masonic lodge room. Joseph's interest in Masonry became so
infectious that many Mormon elders hastened to follow his lead, and within six
months the lodge had 286 candidates. He gave instructions on the principles and
order of the Priesthood, attending to washings, anointing, endowments, and the
communication of keys. (Ibid. vol. 5, p. 2) There is no doubt that Joseph's
primary interest in Masonry was because of its ritual. Like Solomon, he became a
temple builder. Joseph Smith's own temple records indicate his temple endowment
took place on May 4, 1842, just seven weeks after his Masonic initiation. In
Smith's own words he said: "In the evening I received the first degree in
Freemasonry in the Nauvoo Lodge." The next day he stated: "I was with
the Masonic Lodge and rose to the sublime degree." This qualified Joseph to
be a Master Mason. (Ibid. 1842 vol. 4, p. 552)

Joseph Smith Sr., Joseph Smith Jr., Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, Heber C.
Kimball, Newel K. Whitney, John C. Bennett, John Taylor, Sidney Rigdon, and
other Mormons were Masons. Shortly after their temple endowment ceremonies,
Joseph Smith Jr. and other Mormons were expelled from the Masonic order for
violating their oaths. It was May 4, 1842 that Joseph Smith introduced the
Masonic Ceremony as the Mormon Temple Ceremony and declared that it was
"received as a revelation from God." (History of the Church, vol. 5,
pp. 1-2)

When Dr. Reed Durham, director of the LDS Institute of Religion, made this
discovery in 1974 and gave a speech on the subject of the Mormon-Mason
connection before the Utah History Association on April 20, 1974, he was highly
criticized for making this matter public. He also showed the Jupiter talisman
during that speech, and explained that Joseph had carried it on his person since
1826 (the same year he was convicted of money-digging charges and being a
believer in magic), and that he had the Jupiter talisman on him at the time of
his death. The talisman contains symbols relating to astrology and magic, and
there were other magical items discovered at the same time that belonged to
Hyrum Smith.

Although most Mormon historians do not mention these facts in their
church-authorized writings (including Mormon deception, intimidation,
repression, theft, and violence as well as other matters that might call into
question the sacred nature and integrity of the Mormon experience), they have to
admit that the endowment ceremony contains many details that are similar to the
Masonic initiation rites of the 1800's, especially since Joseph became a Mason
such a short time prior to the "revelation."

Similarities Between the Masonic Temple Ceremony
and the Mormon Temple Ceremony, Nauvoo, Ill.

1) Masonic Preparation Room
The candidate is ushered into the preparation room where he meets the Junior
Deacon and Stewards who divest him of all his clothing except his shirt. He is
then handed an old pair of drawers, which he puts on.

Mormon Dressing Room
The initiate is divested of all his clothing, and then directed to the washing
and anointing dressing rooms where he eventually puts on a special pair of under
garments.

2) Masonic Compass
The candidate then enters, the Senior Deacon at the same time pressing his naked
left breast with the point of the compass.

Mormon Compass
The point of the compass is sewn into the left [breast] of the garment.

3) Masonic Square
As the candidate enters, the angle of the square is pressed hard against his
naked right breast.

Mormon Square
The square is sewn into the right side of the garment.

4) Masons Washing Ceremony
Master orders the basin of the perfumed water and a clean napkin to be brought
to him, and directs candidate to wash his hands, which he does...Master takes a
box of perfumed ointment and anoints candidate on his head, eyes, mouth, heart,
the tip of his right ear, hand, foot, and says - "You are now, my dear
brother, received a member of our society."

Mormon Washing Ceremony
The initiate is washed, and various organs of his body (head, lips, breast,
ears, hand and feet, etc.) are anointed with holy consecrated oil.

5) Masons Presenting New Name To Candidate
"I also present you with a new name; it is CAUTION"

Mormon Temple Worker Presents New Name To Candidate
" I give you a new name which you should always remember, and which you
must keep sacred, and never reveal ... The name is ____."

6) Man Representing Adam In Masonic Ceremony
Thrice Puissant Grand Master, representing Father Adam, is stationed in the
east. (This occurs in the Knight of the Sun Degree.)

Man Representing Adam In Mormon Ceremony
Elohim -- (Turning to the audience) - "This man who is now being operated
upon is Michael who helped form the world. When he awakes ... he will be known
as Adam"

7) Man Representing Deity In Masonic Ceremony
One of the members now personates the Deity, behind the bush, and calls out
"Moses! Moses!" (This occurs in the Royal Arch Degree.)

8) Masons Use A Mallet
He gives a rap with the common gavel or mallet.

Mormons Use A Mallet
One of the temple workers, ... gives three raps with a mallet.

Masonic entered apprentice vs. First token of the Aaronic Priesthood

9) Masonic Penalty Sign
Made from the due-guard by dropping the left hand carelessly; at the same time
raise the right arm and draw the hand, still open, across the throat, thumb next
[to] the throat, and drop the hand perpendicular by the side.

Mormon Penalty Sign
"The Execution of the Penalty is represented by placing the thumb under the
left ear, the palm of the hand down, and by drawing the thumb quickly across the
throat to the right ear, and dropping the hand to the side."

10) Masonic Grip
The right hands are joined together as in shaking hands and each sticks his
thumb nail into the third joint or upper end of the fore finger.

Mormon Grip
The token is giving by clasping the right hands and placing the joint of the
thumb directly over the first knuckle of the hand.

11) Masonic Wording Concerning The Grip
The Master and candidate holding each other by the grip, as before described,
the Master says.
"What is this?"
Ans. "A grip."
"A grip of what?"
Ans. "The grip of an Entered Apprentice Mason."
"Has it a name?"
Ans. "It has."
"Will you give it to me?"
Ans. "I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it."

Mormon Wording Concerning The Grip
Peter - "What is that?"
Adam - "The second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood."
Peter - "Has it a name?"
Adam - "It has."
Peter - "Will you give it to me?"
Adam - "I can not, I have not yet received it.

12) Masonic Oath
"... binding myself under no less penalty than to have my throat cut
across, my tongue torn out by the roots ..."

Mormon Oath
"We and each of us, covenant and promise that we will not reveal any
secrets of this... Should we do so, we agree that our throats be cut from ear to
ear and our tongues torn out by their roots."

Masonic fellow craft vs. Second token of the Aaronic Priesthood

13) Masonic Oath
"...binding myself under no less penalty than to have my left breast torn
open and my heart and vitals taken from thence and thrown over my left
shoulder."

Mormon Oath
"We and each of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal the
secrets of this ... Should we do so, we agree to have our breasts cut open and
our hearts and vitals torn from our bodies "

14) Masonic Penalty Sign
"The sign is given by drawing your right hand flat, with the palm of it
next to your breast from the left to the right side with some quickness, and
dropping it down by your side"

Mormon Penalty Sign
"This is the sign. The Execution of the Penalty is represented by drawing
the thumb quickly across the body and dropping the hands to the side."

15) Masonic Grip
"Take each other's hands as in ordinary hand-shaking and press the top of
your thumb hard against the space between the first and second knuckles of the
right hand."

Mormon Grip
"This token is given by clasping the right hand and placing the joint of
the thumb between the first and second knuckles of the hand."

16) Masonic Name Given
"Brother, I now present you with my right hand, in token of brotherly love
and confidence, and with it the pass-grip and word of a Fellow Craft Mason ....
the name of it is Shibboleth."

Mormon Name Given
"The Name of this token is your own first given name."

Masonic Master Mason vs. First and second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood

17) Masonic Sign
"The sign is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbows,
perpendicular, one each side of the head, the elbows forming a square."

Mormon Sign
"The sign is made by raising both hands high above the head."

18) Masonic Penalty Sign
"The Penal Sign is given by putting the right hand to the left side of the
bowels, the hand open, with the thumb next to the belly, and drawing it across
the belly, and letting it fall; this is done tolerably quick."

Mormon Penalty Sign
"The Execution of the Penalty is represented by placing the right hand on
the left breast, drawing the hand quickly across the body, and dropping the
hands to the sides."

19) Masonic Oath
"binding myself under no less penalty than to have my body severed in two
in the midst..."

Mormon Oath
"We and each one of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal any
of the secrets of this... Should we do so, we agree that our bodies be cut
asunder in the midst and all our bowels gush out."

20) Masonic Grip
Grasp each other's right hands very firmly, the spaces between the thumb and
first finger being in interlocked and the tops of the fingers being pressed hard
against each other's wrist where it joins the hand, the fingers of each being
somewhat spread.

Mormon Grip (Slightly Different Method of Grip)
The Grip is made by grasping the hand, the forefinger on center of the wrist and
little fingers locked.

21) Masonic Grand Hailing Sign And Due Guard
The sign is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbows, perpendicularly,
one on each side of the head, the elbows forming a square.
The due guard is made by holding both hands in front, palms down.

Mormon Pay, Lay, Ale
The sign is made by elevating both the arms above the head ... the arms dropped
to the square,... and then to the sides.

22) Masonic Apron
While the Wardens are examining the candidate, the Master returns to the east
and gets an apron, and as he returns to the candidate... The Master then says to
the candidate, "Brother, I now have the honor to present you with a
lamb-skin or white apron..."

Mormon Apron
Adam-- (Turning to the audience)--"Brethren and sisters, put on your
apron."

Masonic raising of Hiram Abiff vs. Mormon Veil

23) Masonic Five-Points of Fellowship as Hiram Abiff's Dead Body is Raised
He (the candidate) is raised on what is called the five points of fellowship,
which are foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back and mouth
to ear.

Mormon Five-Points of Fellowship at The Veil
"The five points of fellowship are "inside of right foot by the side
of right foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and mouth to
ear."

24) Master Mason Raising Candidate
The Master, in raising him, is assisted by some of the brethren, who take hold
of the candidate by the arms and shoulders; as soon as he is raised to his feet,
they step back, and the Master whispers the word "Mah-Hah-Bone," in
his ear, and causes the candidate to repeat it, telling him that he must never
give it in any manner other than that in which he receives it. He is told that
Mah-Hah-Bone signifies marrow in the bone. They then separate.

Mormon Passing Through The Veil
At the five points of fellowship ... one putting his mouth to the other's ear,
in which position The Lord whispers: "This is the name of the token: Health
in the navel, marrow in the bones, strength in the loins and in the sinews,
power in the priesthood be upon me and upon my posterity through all generations
of time and throughout all eternity." The patron repeats the token and then
they separate...

**********

It may seem surprising that Joseph Smith would incorporate so much Masonry
into the endowment ceremony in the very weeks when all his leading men were
being inducted into the Masonic lodge. They would have been blind indeed not to
see the parallelism between the costuming, the grips, passwords, keys, and
oaths. However, Smith covered his bases when he told the men that the endowment
ceremony had to be restored to the original and pure form of Adam's time.
According to Smith the Masons had corrupted the ceremony originated by God in
Solomon's time by removing and changing many parts.

Smith also made free use of other Masonic symbols--the beehive, (Utah is
known by Mormons as the Beehive State) the all-seeing eye (which is still
visible in the St. George, Utah Tabernacle), the clasped hands, and the point
within the circle. The Masonic square and compass are cut into the temple
garment on the breast and a slash is made across the knee. There is also a slash
in the garment across the abdomen, symbolic of the disemboweling that would be
the fate of anyone who reveals the sacred oaths.

Former BYU historian Michael Quinn has done extensive research on rites and
ancient mysteries related to occultism. Quinn states, "The following are
ten essential characteristics common to both occult rituals and the Mormon
Temple ceremony."

1) They are revealed by God from the beginning, but distorted through
apostasy.
2) They place an emphasis on the worthiness of initiates.
3) They include washings and anointing, a new name and garments.
4) They emphasize vows of non-disclosure.
5) There are both lesser and greater rituals.
6) They feature presentation of the ritual through drama.
7) They contain an oath of chastity requiring strict purity and virtue of the
participants.
8) They feature prominent use of the sun, moon and stars as key symbols.
9) The purpose of the ritual is to assist the mortals to godhood.
10) They employ titles and offices of prophets, priests and kings to those in
leadership.

Michael Quinn commented that the ancient occult mysteries and the Mormon
endowment manifest both philosophical and structural kinship.

While Mormon apologists have a hard time explaining the fact that the Bible
does not support the doctrine of baptism for the dead or temple marriage, they
are faced with an even greater problem when they turn to The Book of Mormon.
Since The Book of Mormon is supposed to contain the fullness of the gospel, why
doesn't it contain even one passage to support either of these two doctrines?
It's interesting to note that the same revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants
that contains the information concerning Temple Marriage is also the revelation
that contains the teaching of polygamy. Therefore, 'polygamy' and 'temple
marriage' must stand or fall together.

The Blacks...
Until 1978, persons with any known trace of black African ancestry were not
permitted to enter a Mormon temple, even if they were otherwise worthy members
of the Church. Joseph Smith taught that Negroes (blacks) are the descendants of
Cain. (J. S. History, vol. 4, p. 501) Brigham Young was equally adamant about
the status of the blacks. Young said; "Blacks are cursed with a flat nose
and black skin". (Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, pp. 290-291) "Shall I
tell you the law of God in regard to the African Race? If the white man who
belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty,
under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so."
Brigham Young also said "…that if the priesthood was ever given to the
Blacks, on that very day and hour, if we should do so, the priesthood will be
taken from this church." (Brigham Young Addresses, p. 61) Pres. Joseph
Fielding Smith said: "They are an inferior race, and their intelligence is
stunted." Apostle Bruce McConkie said: "The Negroes were less valiant
in the preexistence, and therefore spiritually restricted."

In spite of earlier revelations concerning the blacks, in 1978 the leaders of
the Mormon Church announced that they had received a revelation allowing all
worthy male members to receive the Priesthood. (D&C, p. 293). On June 13,
1978 the Salt Lake Tribune reported that President Kimball refused to discuss
the revelation that changed the Church's 148-year-old policy against ordination
of blacks, saying it was a personal thing. Kimball said: "The revelation
came at this time because conditions and people have changed. It's a different
world than it was 20 or 25 years ago. The world is ready for it."